Vital Records Reference Dates

Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths

Official records of births, marriages, and deaths occurring in each New Hampshire town or city have been kept by town clerks since the early 1600s. The town clerk sends copies to the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Concord, New Hampshire. The original records of every town, early to 1900, are available at the Bureau and have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library, and family history centers.

Until 1883 less than half the population was listed in vital records. These records often gave little information about parents and their birthplaces. After 1901 the records are more complete and give much more genealogical information.

Birth Records

Birth records usually show the name and sex of the child, date and place of birth, and the parents’ names. They may also show the parents’ birthplaces and ages, mother’s maiden name, father’s occupation, and number of children born to the mother. A year by year search may reveal other children born to the couple.

This index is also on film.[1]The film index cards are filed alphabetically by surname using the first and third letter of the name. For further explanation on using these records, see New Hampshire State Vital Records Index

Marriage Records

Marriage records usually mention the names of the bride and groom, the date and place of the marriage, and the home town of both the bride and groom. They may also show the names of the parents of each of them.

Town clerks recorded marriages as early as 1639. Many of these records are on microfilm (see New Hampshire Town Records). Records after 1901 give more information. The following marriage records and indexes are available:

Bride’s Index, 1640–1900[3]These records include an index to brides and the names of the mothers of the brides and grooms. They are arranged alphabetically by the first and third letter of the surname.

Marriage Certificates, 1901–1937[4]These are films of original records in the Bureau of Vital Records and are arranged alphabetically by the first and third letters of the surname.

Marriage Record Corrections and Additions, 1677–1937[5]This film of the original records in the Bureau of Vital Records is arranged alphabetically by surname.

Divorce Records

New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics. Index to Divorces and Annulments Prior to 1938. The records are indexed by surname, using the first and third letters. 8 FHL films 1001323-1001330

New Hampshire. Bureau of Vital Records. Divorce Certificates, 1938-1947. Records are arranged by surname, using the first and third letters. 2 FHL films 2320731 and 2320502

Death Records

Death records usually have the deceased’s name, age, birth date, and birthplace. They also may include the names of parents, the date and place of death, and the cause of death. The informant may be a close relative, and the names of the physician and mortician may be provided.

Index to Deaths, Early to 1900[8]These records are arranged alphabetically by surname using the first and third letter being as in other New Hampshire vital records.

Death Certificates, 1901–1937[9]These certificates are arranged alphabetically using the first and third letters of the surname.

Other New Hampshire Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online

The following is a list of online resources useful for locating New Hampshire Vital Records which consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths. Most online resources for New Hampshire Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.

Substitute Records

These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.

Church Records: Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.

Cemetery Records: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information. These records may also reveal family relationships.

Census Records: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappears from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.

Newspapers: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.

Periodicals: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.

Military Records: Military pension records may give birth, marriage and death information, In addtion, soldiers' homes records may included this same information.

Probate Records: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.

History: Local histories, family histories, and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in last name searches of the Family History Library Catalog.

Tips

Information listed on vital records is given by an informant. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record. The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.

If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial. A family BIble may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.

Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records. Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.

Search for Vital Records in the Family History Library Catalog by using a Place Search. Search for New Hampshire, then choosing Vital Records to locate records filed by the State. Also search using the name of the county to locate records kept by the county.

Since vital records were kept from the founding of a town, also search the town records for the original information. See New Hampshire Town Records for details. Vital records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under: